However, the sale of magic mushroom spores is legal, as spores do not contain psilocybin. The dainty, ribbed and pointed cap on slender stems belie a potentially poisonous little edible growing in grasslands around the world. The Liberty Cap mushroom, also known as a magic mushroom for its psychedelic effects, has long been used as a hallucinogenic in many cultures around the world for thousands of years.

Are liberty cap mushrooms legal?

It contains a chemical cocktail of psychoactive ingredients, most notably ‘psilocybin’ (hence Psilocybe) which is a naturally produced psychedelic compound, and is the main active substance. Ingestion of several mushrooms, whether eaten fresh, dried or powdered and added to food etc, can produce a variety of ‘psychedelic’ experiences similar to those produced by LSD. Since 2005 it has been made illegal to be in possession of this mushroom (in whatever form) and is labelled as a Class A drug – so there you go. You shouldn’t have to go far to find some magic mushrooms in the UK. Local parks, common recreational areas, race tracks, woodland and country paths are all potential growing spots. Psilocybe fimetaria is a widely distributed but not very common magic mushroom that grows in the UK.

Conocybe apala, the milky conecap, can be clearly distinguished by its white gills, and its delicate mushrooms tend to rapidly shrivel and bend from sight on drying. Inocybe geophylla, the white fibercap, can be distinguished by its yellowish-brown to pale grayish gills and yellowish-brown spore print. Liberty Caps, known scientifically as Psilocybe semilanceata, are among the most iconic magic mushrooms in the UK.

It can grow up to 9cm tall and has a small convex cap just a few centimeters in diameter. It takes .2 to .5 grams of dried magic mushrooms to begin to feel the effects of the psilocybin. Height, weight and metabolism affect how a person may feel when ingesting magic mushrooms. It can be identified by its reddish-brown cap over a pale yellow or white stem. The skin of this magic mushroom turns bluish when it is crushed while still fresh and sticky. It can be rather difficult to identify mushrooms that you have picked from the wild.

The cap of the first (Conocybe apala) looks very fragile, and the cap of the second (Conocybe tenera) has strong orange tones. The gills of both these species start off pale brown and turn to rust or cinnamon brown as in the third example. They generally appear alone or in small clusters on rich soil in pastures, meadows and parkland. They don’t grow on cow or sheep dung, but are common in areas where livestock may roam.

Stay safe out there.

It also becomes opaque so that you can only see the gills towards the bottom (if at all). We have learned which mushrooms are poisonous or not poisonous through the experiences of the unfortunate. As the sun dries the cap, it transforms from the top and spreads downwards, becoming  opaque and cream coloured.

Where Liberty Cap Mushrooms Grow

Dr Nuke says that anyone picking mushrooms should use “at least three independent tests” to make sure the mushrooms are safe. These should be run on fresh, mature, fully-grown, healthy mushrooms in order to be as accurate as possible. Once dried, he notes, it’s much harder to spot mould or bacteria growing on the mushrooms. “Specialist mushroom-picking books, the internet, and/or old hippies are the best starting points for the budding mushroom picker,” he says.

If you are not sure what a psychedelic-inducing mushroom looks like, then you probably shouldn’t traipse through the woods randomly picking mushrooms. The liberty cap is named for its resemblance to the liberty pole – a symbol of freedom originating in the Roman Empire. I like to imagine Nature is reminding us of our fundamental right to explore consciousness. The gills start off grey and turn to purplish-brown with age as spores get released. The gills slope upwards and only attach to the stem right at the top.

What Are Liberty Cap Mushrooms?

• I could grow them instead, but that had its own practical difficulties.
• The first step to identifying liberty cap mushrooms is knowing where and when to look for them.
• Nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort are common side effects, especially during the initial stages of ingestion.
• But it’s much more efficient to search the 25% of grassland with suitable soil than it is to search all grassland.
• It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the laws in your specific region.

In the southern hemisphere, it grows from April to May and then September to October. Rockefeller, Woodhouse and Dr Nuke all recommend using online forums to check with more experienced mushroom pickers and experts about what you’ve found. There’s the Reddit forum Magic Mushrooms UK, Mush ID on Facebook and identification forums on Shroomery.org, to name a few. Liberty caps are often found in grassy fields where animals, mainly sheep, graze – this is why you might hear people saying they grow near manure. According to Dr Nuke, they mostly grow in uncultivated and untouched grounds, so the countryside is often your best bet.

DoubleBlind Magazine does not encourage or condone any illegal activities, including but not limited to the use of illegal substances. We are not a substitute for medical, psychological, or psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, or advice. If you are in a crisis or if you or any other person may be in danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency resources.

• When it comes to consuming your shrooms, Dr Nuke’s most vital piece of advice is to start with an extremely small test dose.
• If you have a history of mental health issues, consult a healthcare professional before using magic mushrooms.
• In most cases, a Panaeolus or Conocybe stem will readily break, but Liberty Caps are very fibrous and should not snap.
• Technically, a life sentence is the maximum sentence for supply of any Class A drug, including magic mushrooms.
• The Mycena species, or Angel’s Bonnets, look a little more like liberty caps than the two mentioned above.

He has a Master’s Degree focused in Science (Bioinformatics) from University of Melbourne. You can use Magic Mushroom Map to identify when weather conditions are suitable. If we aren’t diligent in our harvesting, we could damage the mycelium underneath. The mycelial network functions as a sort of “wood wide web” and facilitates communication between mushrooms and other plants. Wildcrafting is a sustainable practice that involves the ethical and responsible gathering of wild plants and fungi for various purposes, such as medicinal or culinary use. This method prioritizes the preservation of natural habitats while taking only what is needed to avoid over-harvesting.

Always prioritize safety, legality, and respect for nature as you embark on your journey into the world of Liberty Caps. These rare magic mushrooms grow in either small groups or singularly on horse or cow dung. They’re most likely to be found in grassy areas with rich soils from September to November. Like many strong psychedelic mushrooms, they stain blue when damaged or bruised.

The cap has a ‘nipple’ which can be quite pronounced or barely present and the bottom edge always tucks under. When fresh, the cap has a translucent covering that, if you are very careful, can be peeled away. If you how to identify liberty caps uk sign up to our newsletter below, we’ll send you a handy infographic that will help you identify liberty caps….